A look back at 2014

Here's a few of the projects that made 2014 so special for me.

Shaun the Sheep Series 4 hit TV screens. I had a ball storyboarding on a couple of episodes last year. The series went on to win the BAFTA for Best Children's Animation.

I've been doing a lot of storyboarding for Children's TV this year, working on CBeebies and Disney favourite 'Chuggington'. And right now, I'm busy storyboarding a new series of 'Bob the Builder', which is set to premiere on Chanel 5's Milkshake in the UK in the New Year.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure to work with Barnsley Museums on a film for an exhibition marking the 30th anniversary of the 1984/85 Miners’ Strike, assisting a group of young women from the youth panel at Experience Barnsley Museum. They re-wrote verses of the anthem, 'Women of the Working Class' that the Women Against Pit Closures sang on the picket lines, recording their version with some of the original singers.

Women of the Working Class went on the win a string of awards this year:

Best YF Mixed Media. 14-17 yrs Hollywood International Family Film Festival; 

Youth Jury Animation award, Kids for Kids UK

3rd place. Middle School Animation Category, 2014 MY HERO International Film Festival

I was also chuffed to get a nomination as Director this year, for my other collaboration with Barnsley Museums; an advert promoting children's animation workshops. Lego Heist: Barnsley Museums was nominated for Best Commissioned Film at the Bradford Animation Festival.

In September I was thrilled to be invited to work with my wonderful old storyboard mentor, Frank Gladstone on him most recent trip to the UK. If it wasn't for Frank, I wouldn't be doing what I am now, that's for sure.  I taught his new story trainees at Lupus Films ToonBoom Storyboard Pro as part of a Skillset training programme. A great team! Frank went straight back to LA for the Annies and the premier of his feature film, The Hero of Color City.

My Bricknell, last years offering from Bricknell Primary School in Hull continued to do well at festivals this year earning 2nd Place, Elementary Mentor, at the MY HERO International Film Festival, in California and 2nd Place at the Hollywood International Family Film Festival 2014. Here's me and some of teachers and pupils at last years Bradford Animation Festival were it won the Young Animators Award.

Sending all my Christmas Wishes, and hope to see you all in the New Year.

David